Should you choose to road trip the Pacific Coast along Oregon and Washington, prepare to encounter historic seaside resorts, traditional fishing villages, and more natural wonders than you can handle. The Pacific Coast is a world unto itself. This was the end of Lewis and Clark's westward journey and even today holds some secrets for travelers that are just waiting to be discovered. You'll drive down windy roads, along seaside cliffs, past hidden beach coves, through lush valleys with waterfalls, and into towering, old-growth forests.
Work off all that food at Cape Blanco State Park. This state park marks the westernmost point in Oregon and contains the state's southernmost lighthouse, which offers incredible coastal views of the Pacific Ocean from the top. Plus, there are cabins and campsites above the bluff, in case you're so enchanted by the beauty that you decide to stay the night.
Also in Long Beach is the World's Longest Drivable Beach. This is where famed 19th century explorers Lewis and Clark ended their epic cross-country journey, but you've still got a little further to go. Either way, this long stretch of sandy shore is a great place to take a break. If you're lucky, you can catch the Kite Festival, the Sandcastle competition, or one of the other events that happen on the beach.
And, of course, there's loads to see and do in Seattle. From Pike Place Market to the Space Needle, spend some time exploring as much of this offbeat city as you can.
Best time to visit: Since summer is the high tourist season, September, after Labor Day, is ideal. The weather is still beautiful from September through October and you can avoid the crowds, since most people are back to work and kids are back in school. However, since the crowds are slightly diminished during fall, lots of older RVers choose fall weekends for road trips along this route. Springtime is a bit unreliable in regards to the weather, and can be quite rainy-- this part of the country is known for its grey skies. If you visit between November and June you might get a glimpse of the gray whales on their annual migration.